Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents) - Volume 10, Issue 4, 2011

Role of Inflammation in the Evolution of Cancer Disease In the course of its evolution cancer induces in the host changes of the immune system and energy metabolism which deeply affect its clinical conditions so much so that in some cases they are responsible for the death [1]. Several symptoms are associated to these events and involve various organs and systems: anorexia, nausea, weight loss (with reduction of lean Read More

In the course of its evolution the neoplastic disease is characterized by changes of the immune system and energy metabolism which deeply affect patient clinical conditions so much so that in some cases they are responsible for patient's death. Several symptoms are associated to these events and involve various organs and systems: anorexia, nausea, weight loss (with reduction of lean mass and adipose tissue), enhanced incre Read More

Although a great body of evidence is available on the immunosuppressive strategies employed by tumors in order to grow, cancer patients are not considered immunosuppressed individuals. Chemotherapy used in different cancer treatments frequently leads to leucopenia and affects immune responses. Tumors of the immune system can also cause immune alterations, due to their very nature. However, in the absence of prev Read More

The main aim of the present review is to summarize and evaluate the different molecular mechanisms and catabolic mediators (mainly cytokines) involved in cancer cachexia since they may represent targets for future promising clinical investigations.

In advanced cancer patients, energy metabolism is severely compromised by the occurrence, during the disease progression, of symptoms such as anorexia, nausea and vomiting, which do not allow for a normal nutrition and so a regular supply of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and vitamins. In addition to the reduced food intake, important changes of energy metabolism and biochemical/metabolic abnormalities in c Read More

Chronic and acute overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under pathophysiologic conditions characterises the development of oxidative stress and diseases including cancer and diabetes. These ROS are released principally from mitochondria but also from other sources. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in mitochondria-mediated disease processes, though the exact molecular mechanisms responsibl Read More

Anemia is a common cause of morbidity in the general population as it contributes to diminished quality of life and reduced physical and cognitive function. Inflammation is a major factor in the pathogenesis of anemia and thus, anemia is commonly observed in patients with acute and chronic infection, and other inflammatory conditions including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. The mechanisms whereby inflam Read More

Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with many chronic or end-stage diseases, especially cancer, and is characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass. The management of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a complex challenge that should address the different causes underlying this clinical event with an integrated or multimodal treatment approach targeting the different f Read More